Thread: Tanaka MADE -- IN -- CHINA

I just bought two new chainsaws from a Tanaka dealer on the internet. Oh Snap -- they are made in China. I installed the bar and chain and had a hard time getting the cover back on with the chain freewheeling. All the parts seemed cheap.

I wish I had not saved the $50 and had bought a couple of Stihls. I think I'll live to regret buying them.

I talked with my Tanaka dealer at the start of the spring about this. He was telling me most of the trimmers were made in China, but some of the higher end are still made in Japan. I believe he said there is a way to tell them apart but don't recall how. I'm sure it goes for their entire line.

I talked with my Tanaka dealer at the start of the spring about this. He was telling me most of the trimmers were made in China, but some of the higher end are still made in Japan. I believe he said there is a way to tell them apart but don't recall how. I'm sure it goes for their entire line.

The top line trimmers that Tanaka has made for years are still Japan made. Same with their blowers and hedge trimmers. With the takeover of Hitachi they now have re-branded some of their Hitachi stuff as Tanaka and are aiming it at those who want low prices. There is a segment that are doing lawn work on the cheap and won't pay for commercial quality. You're seeing all the major players do this. Redmax has come on board with low priced "commercial quality" trimmers. Others are as well. I don't think Tanaka will fool with their true commercial stuff. Paying $350-$500 for a trimmer and then finding "Made in China" on it somewhere would pretty much kill any brand among true commercial customers. And it should.